April 2005
Donating and recycling your computer
For the environment's sake, send your motherboard out to greener pastures--and to those in need
Roughly 300 million computers have become obsolete in the last 20 years, replaced by faster units and thinner screens. Placed side-by-side, that's enough computers to stretch back and forth across the country 57 times. The good news: There are many recycling centers where old computers can take on a new life. These recycling centers fix whatever computers they can for reuse. The rest of the machines are reduced to their basic components, which are sold to various refineries that convert them into new products.
Before you consider recycling your computer, Consumer Reports advises you to see if you can pass it on to someone who can use it. There are plenty of places where individuals can donate old computers.
DONATING YOUR COMPUTER
The National Cristina Foundation matches people who want to get rid of older electronic equipment with those looking for an inexpensive option. An organization called Per Scholas accepts donated computers and refurbishes them for families who can't afford new computers. Most of the computers that Per Scholas refurbishes are donated by corporations that are upgrading their systems. The Cristina Foundation only accepts PCs that have a Pentium 2 or newer processor and Macs that have a G3 or newer processor.
If you are interested in a reconditioned computer, call Per Scholas at 1-800-877-4068, or go to www.PerScholas.org. The organization sells computers for about $200. If you have an old computer to donate, visit www.cristina.org. In addition to giving your old computer a new home, you can get a tax deduction for your contribution.
If you have a PC, you can tell if your computer is new enough to donate by right-clicking "My computer," selecting "Properties," and looking at the bottom of the window that pops up. If you have a Mac, click on the Apple menu at top left, and go to "About this Mac." It will either indicate right there which processor you have, or you can click "More info" to find out.
RECYCLING YOUR COMPUTER
Consumer Reports says that recycling is much better than tossing an old computer into a landfill because computers contain many toxic chemicals. The monitor can contain up to four pounds of lead, and other components can contain other chemicals such as cadmium, mercury, and flame retardants. These chemicals can cause problems when they leach into ground water from a landfill or are released to the air from incinerators.
It isn't easy to verify that your old computer equipment is going to be recycled safely. The environmental watchdog group Basel Action Network says that it has documented computer parts being burned and dumped out in the open in China, potentially exposing local residents to hazardous chemicals. Should you decide to recycle your computer, ask if the recycler has signed the Electronics Recycler's Pledge. This pledge states that the company agrees to the following:
For the environment's sake, send your motherboard out to greener pastures--and to those in need
Roughly 300 million computers have become obsolete in the last 20 years, replaced by faster units and thinner screens. Placed side-by-side, that's enough computers to stretch back and forth across the country 57 times. The good news: There are many recycling centers where old computers can take on a new life. These recycling centers fix whatever computers they can for reuse. The rest of the machines are reduced to their basic components, which are sold to various refineries that convert them into new products.
Before you consider recycling your computer, Consumer Reports advises you to see if you can pass it on to someone who can use it. There are plenty of places where individuals can donate old computers.
DONATING YOUR COMPUTER
The National Cristina Foundation matches people who want to get rid of older electronic equipment with those looking for an inexpensive option. An organization called Per Scholas accepts donated computers and refurbishes them for families who can't afford new computers. Most of the computers that Per Scholas refurbishes are donated by corporations that are upgrading their systems. The Cristina Foundation only accepts PCs that have a Pentium 2 or newer processor and Macs that have a G3 or newer processor.
If you are interested in a reconditioned computer, call Per Scholas at 1-800-877-4068, or go to www.PerScholas.org. The organization sells computers for about $200. If you have an old computer to donate, visit www.cristina.org. In addition to giving your old computer a new home, you can get a tax deduction for your contribution.
If you have a PC, you can tell if your computer is new enough to donate by right-clicking "My computer," selecting "Properties," and looking at the bottom of the window that pops up. If you have a Mac, click on the Apple menu at top left, and go to "About this Mac." It will either indicate right there which processor you have, or you can click "More info" to find out.
RECYCLING YOUR COMPUTER
Consumer Reports says that recycling is much better than tossing an old computer into a landfill because computers contain many toxic chemicals. The monitor can contain up to four pounds of lead, and other components can contain other chemicals such as cadmium, mercury, and flame retardants. These chemicals can cause problems when they leach into ground water from a landfill or are released to the air from incinerators.
It isn't easy to verify that your old computer equipment is going to be recycled safely. The environmental watchdog group Basel Action Network says that it has documented computer parts being burned and dumped out in the open in China, potentially exposing local residents to hazardous chemicals. Should you decide to recycle your computer, ask if the recycler has signed the Electronics Recycler's Pledge. This pledge states that the company agrees to the following:
- No export of old computers, monitors, and other hazardous electronic waste.
- No dumping of that waste in regular landfills or incinerators in the U.S or overseas.
